Peat-machine.



No'. 858.353. PATBNTED JUNE z5, 1907;

M.- c. SHARPNBGK.

PBATMACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 13110.28-l 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I l'vewbr: @w afm' UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

MATTHEW C. SHARPNECK, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGN OR TO THE AMERICAN PEAT MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE, A COR- PORATION OF MAINE.

FEAT-MACHINE.

Patented June 25, 1907.

4 Application led December 28,1906. Serial No. 349,916.

To all whom t may con/cern:

Be it known that I, MATTHEW C. SHARP- NECK, a citizen of the United States, residing 1 at the city of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented new andv useful Improvements in Peat- Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The improvements of this invention, more especially, are designed and intended for application to, and in combination so as to act in cooperation with a machine for preparing peat, or such like, for fuel, etc., and'which machine 1`s adapted, or constructed and arranged to form and compress the peat, etc., and to permit of its discharge, as so formed and compressed, continuously therefrom. As an illustration of such a machine, reference is hereby had to an application for 'United States Letters Patent, filed by me October 13, 1906, Serial Number 338,871.

The improvements of this invention, especially and substantially, consist of two arrangements of mechanism, the-one to sever the aforesaid formed .and compressed peat, etc., into separate blocks or cakes, and to positively discharge such blocks or cakes therefrom to the other mechanism, which is to receive them as they are so discharged, and then to convey and deliver them regularly to a kiln, or other suitable apparatus, or means to dry them, and while either of said two mechanisms, of itself, and broadly considered, is susceptible of use independently of the other, yet, preferably, and under this invention, and for the best and most eflicient results, and which constitutes also a feature thereof, said. two mechanisms are constructed and arranged, each of itself, and combined with each other, and so that the mechanism to which the separate blocks or cakes are delivered and by which they are to be conveyed to the kiln, etc., will be directly and positively actuated from the mechanism provided to receive the peat, etc., from the forming and compressing machine therefor, and to sever and deliver it as aforesaid.

Further than the above, this invention embraces an arrangement of the severingmechanism so that it will be actuated directly from the 'force or pressure exerted by the formed or compressed peat, as it is continuously discharged from the machine in which it was formed and compressed, assisted by the gravity of the separated blocks or cakes being carried by it.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, is illustrated the special features of this invention, and in a most efficient and practical form, both as to construction and as to arrangement ofthe several parts for fully carrying out the same.

Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 pertain, most particularly, to the mechanism for receiving the formed and compressed peat as itis -discharged from the machine which formed and compressed it, and by which, it is positively severed into blocks or cakes, and delivered to the mechanism to convey it to a kiln, etc. Figs. 6, 7 and 8 pertain, particularly, to the mechanism for receiving the blocks,or cakes from said severing mechanism, Figs. 1 to 5, bothinclusive, and for conveying them to a dr ing-kiln, or other such like apparatus.

Fig. 1 is aside elevation of the mechanism to which it and Figs. 2 to 5, both inclusive, belong as aforesaid, broken away in some parts, and similarly showing, in side elevation, butbroken away, the part, to Wit, the discharge-spout of a peat forming andv compressing machine, such as that to which this invention pertains. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section, dotted line 2-2, Fig. 1. Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are views, in detail, as hereinafter appear; Fig. 5 being on an enlarged scale, and a part plan view. Fig. 6 is a side' elevation of the mechanism provided' to receive the separated blocks or cakes from the mechanism of Figs. 1 to 5, both inclusive, and to convey the same toa drying-kiln, or such like. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section, in detail, and on an enlarged scale, heavy d otted line- 7-7, Fig. 6. Fig, 8 is a transverse vertical .section on an enlarged scale, heavy dotted line 8 8, Fig. 6.

In the drawings, A is the discharge-spout for the peat formed and compressed 1n a machine suitable therefor, and for one illustration of which reference is hereby had, as be- IOO B is a vertical wheel-frame, consisting, as shown, of three annular or ring-plates, severally parallel with each other, and having a corresponding open space between each of the outer and side annular-plates and the intermediate annular ring-plate and this inter- -mediate plate is midway between said two -termediate plate, at its inner edge, is fixed to' the outer or side-plates by a series of narrow parallel horizontal cross-bars G, and also by other cross-bars L severally arranged at equidistances apart and at distances corresponding to those of and in substantially the same planes as the radial-rods C and they, the

cross-bars G and L, are severally in each instance, at a corresponding distance from the axial line of the Wheel. ln a radial line with each of said cross-bars G are similar radialbars H on the inner face of each of the sideplates, and on both faces of the middle-plate of the wheel-frame B. Thus, it will be seen that the wheel-frame B, composed of side and middle annular-plates, &c., as described,

I is a frame free to rotate in a vertical plane on the fixed shaft'- E, and that, about said shaft an'd between its side and middle plates, all is practically free and open and there is no obstruction save that of said cross and radialbars G, L and H, and further, that it has, as it were, two similar parallel compartments or spaces, each continuous throughout the whole of its periphery and each of which is closed only on its opposite vertical sides; and

again, that because of the intervening crossbars G and radial bars H,`each of said compartments or spaces of the wheel-frame, has, as it were, a series of similar divisions, in pairs,4 side by side, and equi-distant from the aXis of the wheel-frame, and that the boundaries of each of said divisions consist, in substance, of the closed vertical parallel sides of the side and middle-plates of which the wheel-frame is formed, and the vertical side edges of said cross and said radial-bars G and H, respectively. As the wheel-frame B is illustrated, it has twelve of said divisions-on each side of its middle-plate. Each wheeldivision, aforesaid, has an unattached bottom-plate J that fits its aforesaid boundaries and, when this bottom is in its innermost position, it rests at one end on a cross-bar G, at

one end of such division, and fits about the two radial bars H thereat, see Fig. 5, more particularly. These several bottoms J are separate and distinct from each other, and they are severally arranged for movement outward from and inward toward the axis` of the wheel-frame B, and to be so moved, the two of each pair of them, which are in a corresponding transverse plane of the wheelframe, are arranged to move as one, and for this movement of each pair, each of its meinbers and at its central portion is similarly fixed to a radial rod of similar radial-frames K, which, said rods, are arranged to move as one through guide-ways of the horizontal cross-bars L, before referred to, attached to the side and middle-plates of the wheelframe, and the inner ends of these frames K are in suitable operative connection with similar continuous cam-grooves M of vertical and parallel disks N rigidly fixed by their respective hubs to the shaft E. The shape of each of these cam-grooves M is the same, and it is as shown, full lines, Fig. 4, and dotted lines, Fig. l, and that is such as will effect or secure an inward and outward movement of said bottoms J, as and for the purposes and otherwise as will hereinafter appear. The bottoms J are shown in dotted lines, Fig. 5, which as before stated is a plan view of the wheel-frame B at a part only thereof, and as if said part had a straight and not a curving outer outline or edge.

O, O are a series of radially arranged blades, each having its outer edge suitably adapted to cut or sever peat as hereinafter appears. There is a separate cutting-blade O for each division of the wheel-frame B, and, as to each division, its blade moves in and is guided at its opposite side-edges in corresponding radial-grooves a of the side-walls thereof, and it is arranged so that in such movements it will pass in close contact with the side vertical edges of said cross and radial bars G and H, and as will more fully hereinafter appear. Every pair of the cutting-blades O, in a corresponding transverse plane of the wheel-frame, are joined together at their inner edge b, (see Fig. 2), so as to move as one, and for their aforesaid movement their outer vertical edges are in suitable operative connection with similar vcontinuous cam-grooves Q of parallel vertical disks R rigidly fixed by their respective hubs to the shaft E. The shape of these camgrooves Q is shown, full lines, Fig. 4, and, dotted lines, Fig. 1and it is such as will elfect or secure an inward and outward movement of said cutting-blades for the purposes and otherwise as will hereinafter appear.

Each pair of cutting-blades O has an earpiece S, at its opposite vertical edges, suitably shaped to engage the radial-rods C, before referred to, and this engagement serves as a support, and a steadier and a guide to the cutting-blades in their aforesaid movement under the action of the cam-grooves Q, thereon.

IOO

IlO

The wheel-frame and its several connections and parts, all as abov'e described, constitute, in substance, the improvements of this invention whichpertain to severing the formed and compressed peat into blocks, or cakes, and for conveying and delivering them therefrom, and for its operation to that end, it is placed relatively to the discharge-spout A before referred to, so that the peat, as it issues from such spout, as before stated, will enter upon the wheel-frame B between its several side and-middle-plates, and into the said two parallel compartments or spaces therebetween, and that the bottom or floor of the spout is along a horizontal plane substantially tangential 'to the bottoms J of the two vdivisions of the wheel-frame B then in line with said spout, and these bottoms are then, not only at their innermost position as to the periphery of the wheel-frame, but also at their highest plane above the axial line of the wheel-frame B.

Fig. 1 shows the discharge-spout A and wheel-frame in the positions just above stated. The lower wall or floor of the spout A is centrally and lengthwise slotted as at f, dotted lines, Figs. 1 and 3, along its length to permit the middle-plate of the wheel-frame B to pass therethrough and acrossthe dischargespout A as it, the wheel-frame, rotates, as'

will hereinafter ap' ear. Again the sideplates of the wheelame B are at the outside of the opposite side-walls of the discharge-spout A, or, in other words, said spout extends and is located between them, Fig. 3.

In the position of the wheel-frame B above described, the cam-grooves M and Q, respectively, are in the positions shown, full lines, Fig. 4, and dotted lines, Fig. l, and otherwise the bottoms J of and the cuttingblades O for the several divisions of the wheel-frame are in the relative positions, respectively as shown, in part, in full, and in part, in dotted lines, Fig. 1, and these several positions are produced as to'each bottom J, and each cutting-blade O, by the action thereon of their respective cam-grooves M and Q as the wheel-frame rotates on its shaft E, as will hereinafter appear. As a further explanation each cam-groove Q, formoving the cutting-blades O, is shaped, so that for Y the greater part of the rotation of the wheelframe, the blades will be at their outermost position, and there so held, and so that each pair of blades will be moved into their innermost positions, at or just before the time the divisions of the wheel-frame to which they belong have come to the mouth of the discharge-spout A, when, by the then continued rotation of the wheel-frame they will be moved and forced through the peatbeing discharged from the spout A to their outermost positions, thereby cutting off a portion of such eat and which, owing to the middleplate ofJ the wheel-frame, is then in two lengths, and so two blocks or cakes of peat are produced at one and the same stroke of a pair of the cutting-blades; and further so that such pair of the cutting-blades shall remain in their outermost positions, until they are again retracted, or moved into their innermost position, as before stated, which movement doesnot begin to occur until such pair of cutting-blades reaches the points Q2 of the cam-grooves, when it continuesiuntil the points Q3 are reached, on which said blades then begin to move outwardly and so continue reaching their farthest outward position when the pair of blades reaches the points yQ4 of the cam. Again, for further illustration, each cam-groove M for moving the bottoms J of the several divisions of the wheel-frame- B is shaped so that, for at least about one-half of the rotation of the wheelframe, such of the bottoms as are then being operated on by the portion M2 of such camgrooves, will be attheir innermost positions, and so that for' at least about one quarter of the rotation of the wheel-frame such bottoms as are then being operated on by the portions M3 of the said cam-grooves will be gradually moved from their innermost position to their outermost position, and so that for, at least,

about one quarter, or for the remainder, of the rotation of the wheel-frame such bottoms as are then being operated on by the portion M4 of said cam-grooves will be gradually moved from their outermost positions to their innermost positions. Both of said cam-grooves M are similarly located relative to the axis of rotation of the wheel-frame, and this location is such that the bottoms J of each division of the wheel-frame will be at their innermost position, when such division is in its highest horizontal plane, and at their outermost position when such division is in its lowermost horizontal plane, and that the outward movement ofthe bottoms, in pairs, will be effected, as the divisions are passing downward from the mouth of the discharge-spout A, and will be fully completed when such' divisions have reached their lowermost horizontal positions, and that the then inward movement of each pair of bottoms will be effected as their divisions are passing upwardly toward the mouth of the ydischarge-spout A, and will be fully completed, before the divisions again come into their highest horizontal plane as aforesaid.

The several radial-rods C of the wheelframe B similarly extend beyond the outer edges of each side-plate of the wheel-frame and to these extensions, and in a coincident vertical plane with each side-plate, is rigidly attached a similar annular-plate B2 and so as to have, in each instance, between its inner edge and the outer edge of its corresponding side-plate, a similar annular open space B3 of suflicient width to freely admit a forward projecting and curvilinear resilient exten- IOO IIO

sion or tongue-piece A2 of the upper wall of the mouth of the discharge-spout A beyond the mouth of said spout. This extension A2 is shaped to extend or cross and to rest upon the outer edges of the several plates of the wheel-frame B and to cover at least more than the. two adjoining pairs of the wheelsections, then in advance, or in front of the mouth of the spout, Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

A3 is an arm fixed on and extending hori- Zontally along a portion of the length of, but above the tongue-projection Al of the spout A.

A4 is a vertical adjustable screw located in the outer end-portion of the arm A3 and arranged to be screwed in and out of such arm and thus, by so adjusting its bearing or pressure on the said tongue-extension A2 of the spout A,gto increase or decrease, as the case may be, the frictional bearing or rest of said tongue on the outer edges of the wheel-frame B and all for a purpose and operation upon the wheel-frame, as will hereinafter appear.

The outer edge of each annular plate B2 of the wheel-frame B has a series of tooth-projections B4, at equal distances apart and correspondingly located on each plate. 1 is an endlessebelt or carrier located below the wheel-frame B. and in the same vertical plane and of a corresponding width therewith. This carrier extends for some distance in opposite directions from the transverse vertical axial plane of the wheel-frame, and it inclines, from end to end, being the highest at its end at the right and the lowest at its end at the left of said wheel-frame, and at each end it passes around asimilar transverse guide-roller 2, each journaled in the opposite parallel side-rails of a suitable lsupporting and'stationary frame 3, and between. said end guide-rollers 2, said frame 3 is provided, at equi-distant points, with similarly journaled guide-rollers 4 for supporting the endless-carrier at intermediate points of its lengths in its movement or travel. This endless-carrier 1, at and along its length and near each of its side edges, is provided with a row of similar sockets 5, at regular and equi distances apart, and a distance corresponding to that of the teeth B4, before referred to, of the wheel-frame B, and otherwise said sockets 5 are in vertical planes coincident with said teeth, and all so that as the wheelframe rotates its said teeth will engage said sockets of the endless-carrier and cause the same to be moved lengthwise under the wheel-frame and in the direction of the arrows 6, the rotation of the wheel-frame being in the'direction of the arrows 7, and all for a purpose as will hereinafter appear.

8, 8 are a series of raised and parallel transverse cleats, fixed, preferably, at regular distances apart on the outer surface of the endless-carrier 1, and which distances, in each instance, is to be such as to secure a co-operative action thereof with corresponding raised transverse cleats 9 at the opposite end-portions of a series of similar l lat wooden boards 10 of rectangular outline, Figs. (j, 7 and S. The boards 10 are contained in a pile and each rests by its cleats 9 on the board next below. The lower board of the pile, is shown, at its opposite ends, as engaged with and supported on the teeth of the corresponding pairs of toothed-wheels 11, which are suitably located therefor, and in each instance, these pairs of toothed-wheels are iixed to and carried by the outer end.- portions of corresponding longitudinal shafts 12 which are ournaled in suitable fixed. bearingblocks 13 of the supporting-frame 3, before referred to for the carrier 1 but are held from so turning and set free to turn all as and for a purpose as will be hereinafter described. Said pile of boards is at and above the right-hand end-portion of the carrier 1 and each board, at its four corners, sets in similar vertical right-angular ways 1.4L of four fixed corner vertical posts 15, suitably located and supported therefor, 16 are vertical bevel gear-wheels on the end-portions of the shafts 12, carrying said toothed wheels 11, situated toward and nearer to the wheel-frame B.

17 are vertical bevel gear-wheels, meshing the bevel gear-wheels 16, and they, gears 17, are carried by a horizontal transverse shaft 1S, which extends across, but is in a plane above the endless-carrier 1 and is journaled and free to turn at itsopposite end portions in suitable fixed bearing-blocks 19 supported from the frame 3 for the endless-carrier 1.

20 1s a vertical escapeewheel fixed on one end-portion of the transverse shaft 1S, and

21 is a palletepawl located for its teeth to en' gage the teeth of the escape-wheel, and to operate thereon and therewith, all as well known in the escapement of watch and clock movements, that is to say, so as to allow on a swing or rock of the pallet in either direction an intermittent or step by step rotation of the escape-wheel in the direction of the arrow 22, and in this case at stated times relative to the rotation of the wheel-frame B, and thus to allow of an intermittent or step by step rotation of the toothed-wheels 11 under the weight of the boards 10, but at all other times to hold the escape-wheel against rotation, and thc same as to said toothed wheels 11 and all as and for purposes as will hereinafter fully appear.

23 is the stationary fulcrum of the pallet 2.1. The free end-portion 24 of the pallet 23, that is, its end-portion opposite to its forked and toothed end, is situated in the vertical plane of a -fixed horizontally projecting flange or rib 25, located on the outer vertical face of one of the annular-extensions B2 of the wheel-frame B. This rib 25 is concentric IOO lIO

with the axis of, and, as shown, Figs. 1 and 6, it extends around the wheel-frame B for a little over one-half of its circumference, and its end 26, to wit, its forward end in relation to the direction of the rotation of wheelframe B, by abutting against the free end 24 of lthe pallet tilts or swings that end of the pallet downward and thus sets the escapewheel free to rotate a given distance in the direction of the arrow 22, 0n which the pallet and escape-wheel are held against change of their respective positions for the whole length of the rib 25 as the Wheel-frame continues its rotation, by reasonof the then bearing of the end 24 of the pallet against the outer circular running face or edge 27 of said rib, when said end of the pallet escaping from said rib at its rearward end 28, the pallet is thereby freed and so it rocks or tilts back to its normal position, that is,its position in which itwas before being tilted as aforesaid, and in this position the pallet remains holding the escapewheel against further rotation until by the continued rotation of the wheel-frame B said forward end 26 of the rib 25 again contacts with the free end 24 of the pallet, when the pallet is again tilted, and so on as before.

The tilting of the pallet, as described, releases the escape-wheel for an intermittent, or a step by step rotation, and in each instance it is produced by the Weight of the boards 10 on the toothed wheels 1 1, acting on the escape-wheel through the intermediate shaft and gear-connection described and thus on each step by step movement of the escape-wheel, the then lowest or underboard of the pile of boards 10 isfreed to drop onto the endless-carrier 1 below it, followed by an engagement of the toothed wheels 11 with the board which was next above said board so dropped, andtherethrough all said boards are held suspended until the next movement of the escape-wheel as before and so on.

30 is an endless-carrier or belt, shown only in part. This carrier 30V is similar to, and is vdesigned to cooperate with the carrier 1, and it is supplementary to said. carrier and leads, as shown, off from one end thereof, and from thence it is to pass to a drying kiln, or other apparatus, suitable for drying pressed blocks of peat, and which apparatus is not shown.

The operations of the several mechanisms which have beennow fully described and in detail, otherwiseY than as such operations thereof have already been explained, and acting separately and co-operatively with and relatively with each other, it being understood that the formed and compressed peat to be handled by them comes out of or exudes from the mouth of the discharge-spout A under a more or less forcible and appreciable pressure are, in substance, as follows The peat, passing fromthe spout A, is in two separate continuous lengths, as and for the reason before stated, and it so enters into the two adjoining divisions of the wheel-frame B then in the samehorizontal plane with the spout and under and covered by its forward extension A2 which covers` also thev next two adjoining divisions in advance thereof, and by this covering thereof, the peat is held against esca ing u wardly, it being otherwise confine in sai divisions by their closed sides and bottoms. The peat so entered and as was before noted hereln, presses forcibly against the cutting-blades O in advance thereof and then in their outermost positions, as has been before explained, and consequently the wheel-frame B is forced forward, or in other words, it is caused to rotate, in the direction of the arrows :7, Figs. 1 and 7, while at the Sametime and which are traveling with the peat and the wheel-frame,

,the cuttmg-blades of said peat-charged divisions, and which were at their innermost positions and in the same vertical plane as the mou'th of the spout when the peat first began to enter them, are made to move outwardly and across said peat and thus to sever or cut therefrom blocks or cakes, one for each division, and so on and in like manner and with like results with the successive or following divisions of the wheel-frame, as it, the wheelframe, continues its rotation under the forciexuding or escaping lines of peat fromthe v mouth of the spout A against the cutting blades which are outwardly presented to its said action, and all of which is successivelyy followed, and by each pair of said divisions in turn, that is, one pair after the other, by the discharge therefrom of the blocks or cakes of peat they separately contain when such divisions have reached their lowermosthorizontal positions, because ofthe outward movements of their separate bottoms J as has been before explained, and by the deposit of said so discharged blocks on a board 1() then being carried along under the wheel-frame, by the endless carrier 1, (said board not `being shown in the drawings) but which board has, during the mean time, dropped from the pile of boards onto such carrier in proper season, by the action of the escapement and connecting mechanism before explained. Said carrier is under a continuous movement, in the direction of the arrows 6, produced-'by and through the meshing with its sockets 5 of the radial-pins-or teeth B4 of the wheel-frame B. Thus, as a whole and in a thoroughly automatic and continuous manner, and as is obvious without further explanation,` so long as the prepared peat is forced out of the discharge-spout A into sections of the wheelframe B as described, the wheel-frame will be rotated, the so discharged peat will be cut into separate blocks or cakes, and such cakes will be de osited on a board 10, on the ca-rrier 1, an said carrier will be carrying such' board so loaded with peat-blocks forward to IOO and delivering it to the endless belt 30, to be carried by it to a drying kiln (not shown) or other apparatus suitable for drying said blocks, it being understood that the carrying boards 10 for the peat-blocks are droppe onto the carrier l, one after another, from the pile thereof and in proper and regular order by and through the operation of the escapement and connecting mechanism herein before particularly described, and particularly illustrated, Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings, and which operation is effected or secured by the combined action of the projecting-flange 25 of the rotating wheel-frame B, the pallet 21, the escape-wheel 20, andthe mechanism between the axle or shaft of said escape-wheel and the board holding or retainm toothed-wheels 11, all as before describe Neither a drying kiln, nor any other apparatus or means for drying the peat-blocks, nor any means for transferring the boards 10, on which the peat-blocks have been deposited, from the endless-carrier l to such kiln etc., constitute any part of this invention and therefore it is not deemed necessary to herein further describe or to particularly illustrate the same in the drawings.

The cleats on the boards 10 and on the carrier l, engage each other as the carrier travels along and thus a positive carrying of the boards is insured by the carrier.

The overlapping tongue-extension A2 of the spout A, as has been .before stated, holds the peat in the sections of the wheel-frame B as it is being delivered to such sections from the spout, from upward escape and as the frictional pressure or bearing of this tongueextension A2 on the peripheries of the outer and mid-annular plates of the iwheel-frame B is capable of adjustment, as has been described, obviously, the rotationof the wheelframe, under the pressure of the peat exuding from the mouth of the spout A, can be re- -tarded as maybe desired, and thus a greater or lesser compressing ofthe peat in the sections of the wheel-frame secured, it being obvious, however, that as the mechanisms are arranged and combined and are operated, that, in any event there will be a more or less greater resistance to the discharge of the peat from the spout A, for the reason, that the movement and action of the several mechanisms are all obtained from the force exerted in the original instance on the cutting-blades O which are in advance of the spout A and are in their outermost positions, as has been explained, assisted, to a more or less greater extent, by the gravity of the peat-blocks contained in the sections of the wheel-frame that are between the highest and the lowest horizontal positions or planes thereof. Again the wheel-frame B while described and shown as having two parallel vertical series of divisions may have only a single vertical series of divisions without aifecting in the least degree, or manner the operations of the mechanisms of this invention as they have been herein described, and again the .wheel-frame B may have more than two vertical series or divisions. Again it may be well to observe that the boards 1() follow one after another on their common carrier l, and that for each rotation of the wheel-frame B there are two separate droppings of the boards from their common pile, and that each board in the course of its travel under the wheel-frame B receives the peatblocks from six pairs of the twelve pairs of sections of said frame.

From the description herein. given, in connection with the drawings, it is plainly obvious that the several mechanisms are actuated from the pressure of the peat, escaping from the spout A, on and against a cuttingblade or blades O of the wheel-frame B assisted by the weight of the peat-blocks in the sections, and again, as is amiarent, all else being equal that the actions or movements of the several mechanisms mustnecessarily be properly timed as to each other. Further, it is obvious, that the sections of the wheelframe act as molds for the peat and in each the peat is or can be necessarily more or less compressed in its bulk and shaped thereto. Further, it will be observed, that, while the mechanisms of this invention have been herein particularly described as applied to an apparatus for preparing peat, etc.,l for fuel such as is embraced in my said application for Letters Patent, it is not intended in any respect to limit the same in their application thereto or to any other special apparatus for preparing peat, etc., for fuel.

It is plain, and without departing from the spirit of this invention, first, that the wheelframe B may be adapted as well known, and for illustration, by connecting driving gearwheels or driving-belt and pulley-wheels, or other suitable driving mechanism, so as to be rotated independently of the action of the discharged peat from the spout A thereon; second, thatthe endless-carrier l may be adapted, as well known, as for illustration, by connecting driving gear-wheels or driving belt and pulley-wheels, or any other suitable driving mechanism, so as to be rectilimiarly moved as described, independently of the rotation of the wheel-frame B; andy third, that the mechanism for holding and allowing the boards 10 to drop one after another, as has been described, may be arranged and adapted for operation, by a suitably driven rotating device separate from the rotating wheelframe B. But while these several changes can be made and with good and practical success, yet, for obvious reasons, it is especially important and desirable to have the several mechanisms of this invention arranged separately and as one whole and IlO IIS

adapted and connected to be driven as has been herein particularly described, that is, by the action of the forcible pressure of the peat discharging from the spout A, or other discharge of a peat forming and compressing machine on a Wheel-frame substantially7 such as has been shown and described and which is free to .rotate under and because of such pressure, and thence, through such rotation of the Wheel-frame to secure and cause the proper movements of the other mechanisms, such as the severing-bladesO and bottoms J and endless-carrier l and the board-holding and releasing-devices, and all substantially such as shown and described.

It Will be observed that in lieu of arranging the mechanism for the deposit on each board 10 carried by the endless-carrier, or on the carrier directly, of six separate blocks from six sections of the Wheel-frame in one and the same line of its divisions, said mechanism may be arranged for the deposit of a greater or lesser number than six blocks, by simply adaptiny the lateral projecting iiange or rib 25 of t e Wheel-frame B therefor, that is, by providing the Wheel-frame with a number of separated parts of the 'flange of corresponding lengths as Well as the open spaces between them, or again that the separate parts of said angeand the open spaces between them may be of varying lengths relative to each other- Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

l. The combination with the delivery spout, or other discharge of a machine, otherwise suitable to prepare peat, etc., for use as fuel, and to continuously deliver or discharge it therefrom, preferably, under a more or less forcible pressure, of a circular Wh eel-frame free to rotate and divided into separate equidistant sections, severally `open at its perimeter and at said perimeter in position to receive in its said sections the peat as delivered or discharged, a series of peat cuttingor severing-blades anda series of movable-bottoms for said Wheel-sections, severally freeand separately adapted'for radialmovement as to the axis of rotation of said Wheel-frame, and means to so move said blades and said bottoms, adapted. and arranged to be actuated from and by the rotation of said Wheel, substantially as described, for the purposes specified.

2. The combination with the delivery spout, or other discharge of a machine other- Wise suitable to prepare peat, etc., for use as fuel, and to continuously deliver or discharge it therefrom, preferably, under a more or less forcible pressure, of a circular Wheel-frame free to rotate and divided into separate equidi'stant sections, severally open at its perimeter and at said perimeter in position to receive in its said sections the said peat as delivered or discharged, a seiesof peat cutting or severing-blades and a series of movablebottoms for said Wheel sections, severally' .Wise suitable to prepare peat, etc., for use as fuel, and to continuously-deliver or discharge it therefrom, preferably, under a more or less forcible pressure, of a circular wheel-frame free to rotate and divided into separate equidistant sections, severally open at its perimeter and at said perimeter in position to receive in its said sections the said eat as delivered or discharged, a series ofp peat cutting or severing-'blades and a series of movable-bottoms for said Wheel-sections, severally free and separatelyy adapted for radial movement as to the axis of rotation of said Wheel-frame, means to so move said blades and said bottoms, adapted and arranged to be actuated from and by the rotation of said Wheel, and a continuous rectilinear traveling endless-carrier, positioned as to said Wheelframe to receive from its said sections the blocks of peat contained therein and as they are discharged therefrom, and said carrier and said wheel-frame relatively adapted for the latter to actuate or drive the former, substantially as described, and for the purposes specified.

4. The combination with the delivery spout, or other discharge of a machine, lother- Wise suitable to prepare peat, etc., for use as fuel, and to continuously deliver or discharge it therefrom, preferably, under a more or less forcible pressure, of a circular Wheel-frame free to rotate and divided into separate equidistant sections, severally open at its 'perimeter and at said perimeter in position to receive in its said sections the said peat as delivered or discharged, a series of peat cutting or severing-blades and a series of movablebottoms for said Wheel-sections, severally free and separately adapted for radial movement as to the axis of rotation of said Wheelframe, means to so move said blades and said bottoms, adapted and arranged to be actuated from and by the rotation of said Wheel, a continuous rectilinear traveling endlesscarrier, ypositioned as to said Wheel-frame to receive from its said sections the blocksV of peat contained therein and as they are discharged therefrom, and separate vboards disposed lengthwise on and along said carrier,

one following the other in regular order, and between it and said wheel-frame, substantially as described, and for the purposes specified.

5. The combination with the delivery spout, or other discharge of a machine, otherwise suitable to prepare peat, etc., for use as fuel, and to continuously deliver or discharge it therefrom, preferably, under a more or less forcible pressure, of a circular wheel-frame free to rotate and divided into separate equidistant sections, severally open at its perimeter and at said perimeter in position to receive in its said sections the said peat as delivered or discharged, a series of peat cutting or severing-blades and a series of movablebottoms for said wheel-sections, severally free and separately adapted for radial movement as to the axis of rotation of said wheelframe, means to so move said blades and said bottoms, adapted and arranged to be actuated from and by the rotation of said wheel, a continuous rectilinear traveling endlesscarrier, positioned as to said wheel-frame to receive from its said sections the blocks of peat contained therein and as they are discharged therefrom, separate boards disposed lengthwise on and along said carrier, one following the otherin regular order, and between it and said wheel-frame, and means to automatically deliver said boards one after another to said carrier and to dispose them along the length thereof in regular order, substantially as described, for the purposes specified.

6. The combination with the delivery spout, or other discharge of a machine, otherwise suitable to prepare peat, etc., for use as fuel, and to continuously deliver or discharge it therefrom, preferably, under a more or less forcible pressure, of a circular wheel-frame free to rotate and divided into separate equidistant sections, severally open at its perimeter and at said perimeter in position to receive in its said sections the said peat as delivered or discharged, a series of peat cutting or severing-blades and a series of movablebottoms for said wheel-sections, severally free and separately adapted forl radial' movement as to the aXis of rotation of said wheelframe, means to so move said blades and said bottoms, adapted -and arranged to be actuated from and by the rotation of said wheel, a continuous rectilinear traveling endlesscarrier, positioned as to said wheel-frame to receive from its said sections the blocks of peat contained therein and as they are discharged therefrom, a pile of separate superimposed boards normally held above said carrier for being delivered, one after another, thereto and along the length thereof, and means adapted. at regular times relative to the travel of said carrier to automatically free the lower board of said pile of boards for it to drop onto said carrier, and at the same time to hold the boards of said pile which were over and resting on it from dropping, all substantially as described, and for the purposes specified.

7. The combination with the delivery spout, or other discharge of a machine, otherwise suitable to prepare peat, ete., for use as fuel, and to continuously deliver or discharge it therefrom, preferably, under a more or less forcible pressure, of a circular wheel-frame free to rotate and divided into separate equidistant sections, severally open at its perimeter and at said perimeter in position to receive in its said sections the said peat as delivered or discharged, a series of peat cutting or severing-blades and a series of movable-bottoms for said wheel-sections, severally free and separately adapted for radial movement as tothe axis of rotation ofsaid wheel-frame, means to so move said blades and said bottoms, adapted and arranged to be actuated from and by the rotation of said wheel, a continuous rectilinear traveling endless-carrier, positioned. as to said wheelframe to receive from its said sections the blocks of peat contained therein and as they are discharged therefrom, a pile of separate superimposed boards normally held above said carrier for being delivered one after another thereto and along the length thereof, and means adapted at regular times relatively to the travel of said carrier to automatically freeV the lower board. of said pile of boards, for it to drop onto said carrier, and at the same time to hold the boards of said pile which were over and resting on it from dropping, and which said means and said wheel-frame are relatively adapted to each other to secure, from and under the rotation of the wheel-frame, an action of said means to permit the lower board of said pile of boards to drop and to hold the boards which were above it.from dropping, all substantially as described, and for the purposes specified.

8. The combination with the delivery spout, or other discharge of a machine, otherwise suitable to prepare peat, etc., for use as fuel, and to continuously deliver or discharge it therefrom, preferably, under amore or less forcible pressure,A of a circular wheel-frame free to rotate and divided into separate equidistant sections, severally open at its perimeter and at said perimeter in position to receive in its said sections the peat as delivered or discharged, a forward extension of the upper side of said spout or discharge positioned and adapted to resiliently bear and press on and to extend. across and cover a portion of the open perimeter of the wheelframe, as it, the wheel-frame, passes from said discharge, a series of peat cutting or severing-blades and a series of movable-bottoms for said wheel-sections, severally free and separately adapted for radial movement IIO as to the axis of rotation of said wheel-frame,

and means to so move said blades and said bottoms, adapted and arranged to be actuated from and by the rotation of said wheel, substantially as described, for the purposes specified. y

9.. The combination with the delivery spout, or other discharge of a machine, otherwise suitable to prepare peat, etc., for use as fuel, and to continuously deliver or discharge it therefrom, preferably, under a more or less forcible pressure, of a circular wheelframe free to rotate and divided into separate equi-distant sections, severally open at its perimeter and at said perimeter in position to receive in its said sections the peat as delivered or discharged, a forward extension of the upperside of said spout or discharge positioned and adapted to resiliently bear and press on and to extend across and cover a portion of the open perimeter of the wheel-frame, as it, the wheel-frame, passes forward from said discharge, means carried by said discharge and projecting therefrom over said forward extension thereof and adapted to adjust the bearing and pressure of said extension on the perimeter of the wheel-frame, a series of peat cutting or severing-blades and a series of movablebottoms for said wheel-sections, severally free and separately adapted for radial movement as to the axis of rotation of said wheelframe, and means to so move said blades and said bottoms, adapted and arranged to be actuated from and by the rotation of said wheel, substantially as described, for the purposes specified. l

10. The combination with the delivery spout, or other discharge of a machine, otherwise suitable to prepare peat, etc., for use as fuel, and tol continuously deliver or discharge it therefrom, preferably, under a more or less forcible pressure, of a circular Wheelframe arranged to rotate on a stationar axial shaft and divided into separate equldistant sections severally open at its perimeter and at said perimeter in position to receive in its said sections the peat as delivered or discharged, a series of peat cutting or severing-blades and a series of movablebottoms for said wheel-sections, severally free and separately adapted for radial movement as to the axis of rotation of said wheelframe, and means, consisting of cam-acting disks fixed on said shaft, a separate cam for said blades and a separate cam for said bottoms, and connections between said cams and said .blades and bottoms 'adapted and arranged to be operated by them as the wheelframe rotates and thus to move said blades and bottoms in and out of said wheel-frame sections, and in determined radial lines thereof, substantially as described for the purposes specified.

11. The combination with the deliveryspout, or other discharge of a machine, otherwise suitable to prepare peat, etc., for use as fuel, and to continuously deliver or discharge it therefrom, preferably, under a more or less forcible pressure, of a circular wheelframe free to rotate and divided into separate equi-distant sections, severally open at its perimeter and at said perimeter in position to receive in its said sections the said peat as delivered or discharged, a series of peat cutting or severing-blades and a series of movable-bottoms for said wheel-sections, severally free and separately ada ted for radial movement as to the axis o rotation of said wheel-frame, means to so move said blades and said bottoms, adapted and arranged to be actuated from and by the rotation of said wheel, a continuous rectilinear traveling endless-carrier, positioned as to said wheel-frame to receive from its said sections the blocks of peat contained therein and as they are discharged therefrom, a pile of separate superimposed boards normally held above said carrier for being delivered, one after another, thereto and along the length thereof, and means consisting of a circular flange or rib fixed on and laterally projecting from one side of and extending partially around, and axially coincident with the axis of said wheel-frame, a pallet fulcrumed on a suitable support and adapted to be rocked in one direction and held against rocking by said flange or rib and escaping from said rib leftfreeA to rock in the opposite direction, an escape-wheel arranged to act in conjunction and coperation with said pallet and having its shaft suitably j ournaled on a stationary support for the rotation thereof, a series of toothed-wheels carried by shafts journaled on suitable stationary supports and adapted and arranged to rotate and to engage by their teeth the lower board of said pile of boards, and therethrough to hold the pile against dropping while said toothed wheels are held from rotation, and gearwheels, in part carried by the escape-wheel shaft and in art otherwise suitably carried and as a whdle adapted to make connection between said toothed-wheels and said escapewheel, all substantially as described, and for the purposes specified. y

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MATTHEW C. SHARPNECK.

Witnesses:

SUMNER B. RoBINsoN, ALBERT W. BROWN.

IOO

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